Blood and Ash, #1
From Blood and Ash
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Contents
Chapter Thirteen
Overview
Duke Teerman confronts Poppy over her supposed improprieties—speaking with Ladies in Wait, inattentiveness with Priestess Analia, and overfamiliarity with Tawny—then humiliates and sentences her to seven lashes while Lord Mazeen observes. The Duke belittles Poppy’s scars, references knowing her mother, and weaponizes Rylan’s death. Poppy endures the punishment and silently resolves to tell Queen Ileana.
Summary
Poppy faces Duke Teerman and Lord Mazeen, fearing exposure of the Red Pearl but learning the charges are her conduct with Priestess Analia, speaking with Ladies in Wait, and overfamiliarity with her maid, Tawny. Teerman orders Poppy to remove her veil, scrutinizes her scars, repeats Hawke’s compliment to undermine her, and pointedly claims he knew her mother.
Teerman accuses Poppy of neglecting expectations and of insolence during the meeting about replacing Rylan, intentionally misnaming the fallen guard to provoke her. When Poppy corrects him, he frames it as defiance and declares she needs another “lesson.”
Ignoring Poppy’s explanations, Teerman escalates the punishment from four to seven lashes. Poppy considers fighting back but restrains herself, fearing harsher consequences and hoping Queen Ileana, who once cared for her, would end this if she knew. She resolves to tell the Queen when able.
Forced to bare her back while Mazeen watches, Poppy braces on the Duke’s desk. Teerman delivers multiple strikes with a cane, inflicting pain and humiliation as Mazeen’s anticipation grows. Poppy refuses to cry out, focusing on the painting of veiled worshippers and the contradiction of the Ascended’s supposed virtue. The scene closes mid-punishment, with her enduring in silence.
Who Appears
- Poppy (Penellaphe)The Maiden; unveiled, demeaned for her scars, accused of improprieties, and sentenced to seven lashes; resolves to tell Queen Ileana.
- Duke TeermanAccuser and punisher; cites Priestess Analia, belittles Poppy, misnames Rylan to provoke, orders and administers lashes.
- Lord Mazeen (Bran)Silent observer aroused by Poppy’s humiliation; endorses the severity of her punishment and watches the caning.
- Priestess AnaliaReports Poppy’s inattentiveness and overfamiliarity with Tawny, triggering part of the Duke’s charges.
- Queen IleanaRemembered caretaker from Poppy’s childhood; Poppy plans to reveal the Duke’s abuses to her.
- HawkeNew guard mentioned; his compliment about Poppy’s beauty is used by the Duke to needle her.
- RylanSlain guard; his death is twisted by the Duke, who misnames him to belittle Poppy’s grief.
- TawnyPoppy’s lady’s maid; her closeness to Poppy is cited as improper by the Duke.